Bag-In-Box Package with Integrated Cup

ABSTRACT

Fabric care products having a package useful for storing, dispensing, and/or measuring flowable compositions, including at least one inner container; an outer container at least partially encompassing the inner container; a dispensing means operatively attached to the inner container; and a vessel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/231,541, filed on Aug. 5, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bag-in-box or bottle-in box packages for flowable compositions and methods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collapsible containers such as foil pouches and mono- or multi-layer thermoplastic laminate bags are well known for storing and dispensing a variety of compositions, particularly liquids and gels. For example, such containers may be used as liners for cartons/boxes for beverages, or may be used in bag-in-box applications. For instance, numerous consumer packaged goods such as wine and fruit juice are currently available on the market in bag-in-box containers. Such containers typically include the thermoplastic laminate bag as a liner and an outer container (formed of for example, corrugated board) that provides structure to the liner to allow for storage, shipment and/or dispensing of the composition contained therein. Bag-in-box containers utilizing a bag cartridge system with a locating collar for easy assembly are disclosed in U.S. 2008/0267538 to Stephenson.

More recently, “collapsible” containers blow-molded from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) preforms (such as those used for making soft drink or juice containers) have been suggested as an alternative to thermoplastic bag containers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,883 to Hutchinson discloses such preforms and their construction into articles. And in U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,950, traditional bag-in-box applications have been modified by substituting liners constructed by blow-molding PET thermoplastic preforms for the traditional thermoplastic bags, resulting in what may then be referred to as a “PET bottle-in-box” containers.

As more solutions become available for bag-in-box or bottle-in-box containers, such containers have become somewhat more sophisticated and have become acceptable containers for a variety of products. Very recently, replacement of traditional “bulk” or “club” size blown thermoplastic containers for liquid laundry compositions with bottle- or bag-in-box containers have been considered. Such bag- or bottle-in box containers may provide benefits to the consumer such as reduced cost (as plastic costs are significantly reduced), may be more environmentally friendly (use of recyclable corrugated board and less use of petrochemical-based plastics). However, such bottle- or bag-in-box containers have not taken into account the particular needs and desires consistent with a container for liquid laundry compositions. Further modifications are necessary to ensure consumer acceptance of bottle or bag-in-box containers containing laundry compositions.

Therefore, a need still exists for an improved bottle- or bag-in-box container, particularly for liquid laundry compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Without being limited by theory, it has now been surprisingly found that by incorporating a means for releasably storing a vessel (such as a measuring cup) within a bag- or bottle-in-box container, consumer acceptance and usage of bottle- or bag-in-box containers when combined with liquid laundry compositions may be improved. Furthermore, such improved containers can maintain structural stability as well as reduce the potential package cost and environmental impact. Such containers may use potentially up to 80%, 60%, 50%, and/or 40% less plastic than industry standard blow molded polyethylene bottles.

The present invention therefore relates to products, such as for example, fabric care products, including a package useful for storing, dispensing, and/or measuring flowable compositions, whereby the package incorporates at least one inner container; an outer container at least partially encompassing the inner container; a dispensing means operatively attached to the inner container; and a vessel.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the inner container is selected from bags and bottles.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the inner container is selected from monolayer thermoplastic bags, multilayer thermoplastic bags, thermoplastic bottles and combinations thereof.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the inner container is a seamless thermoplastic bottle.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the thermoplastic bottle includes a molded finish, configured and adapted for sealing with a closure.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the dispensing means is a press tap closure.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the dispensing means is externally visible through the outer container.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the outer container is constructed of corrugated board.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the vessel is a metered measuring cup.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the outer container is a box.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the outer container is a box and the package further comprises an integrated handle.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the means for releasably storing a vessel is a thermoplastic collar operatively affixed to at least the outer container.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the thermoplastic collar is operatively attached to the dispensing means, enabling external visibility of the dispensing means.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the thermoplastic collar further orients the measuring cup such that the cup holds the flowable composition while the outer container is in the dispensing position.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the thermoplastic collar further couples the inner container within the outer container and orients the dispensing means.

The present invention further relates to such products wherein the means for releasably storing a vessel is a cavity in the outer container.

The present invention further relates to a fabric care package, useful for storing flowable fabric care compositions, wherein said package includes at least one inner container incorporating at least one thermoplastic material and having a volume of from about 3 liters to about 10 liters and a volume to weight ratio of greater than 50 mL per gram; an outer corrugated board box container at least partially encompassing the bottle, wherein the outer box container is generally of a cuboidal shape comprising six sides:

-   -   i) a front side;     -   ii) a back side;     -   iii) a top side;     -   iv) a bottom side;     -   v) a left side; and     -   vi) a right side;         a dispensing tap closure operatively attached to the inner         container; a vessel; and means for releasably storing a vessel.

The present invention further relates to such packages wherein the dispensing tap closure and means for releasably storing a vessel are located on the same side of the outer box container.

The present invention further relates to such packages wherein the dispensing tap closure is a press tap closure.

The present invention further relates to such packages wherein the flowable fabric care composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition and the flowable composition is contained within the inner container.

The present invention further relates to such packages wherein the vessel is a detergent measuring cup.

The present invention further relates to such packages wherein the means for storing a vessel is a cavity within a thermoplastic collar operatively affixed to at least the outer container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a package with integrated cup according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 1 as the package might appear on a store shelf;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Described herein are packages useful for the storing, dispensing and/or measuring of flowable compositions. Such packages include at least one inner container; an outer container at least partially encompassing the inner container; a dispensing means operatively attached to the inner container; and means for releasably storing a vessel.

Outer Container

The outer container contains within the inner container and composition. The outer containers of the present invention provide the package with stability sufficient to store, stack and transport the package when it contains a flowable composition. The outer container at least partially encompasses the inner container.

Examples of outer containers include boxes. The boxes may be of any size or configuration that partially encompasses the inner container. The outer container may provide decorative features such as integrated design elements and may also include additional utilitarian features such as an integrated handle and/or integrated means for releasably storing a vessel as a cavity within the outer container.

In one embodiment, the outer container is constructed of corrugated board. In one embodiment, the outer container is a box and the package further comprises an integrated handle.

In one embodiment, the outer container is an outer corrugated board box container at least partially encompassing the bottle, wherein the outer box container is generally of a cuboidal shape comprising six sides: a front side wall; a back side wall; a top side wall; a bottom side wall; a left side wall; and a right side wall.

Inner Container

The packages of the present invention include at least one inner container suitable for containing a flowable composition. Inner containers useful herein include those formed of any traditional material that may be used to house or store flowable compositions. In one embodiment, the inner containers are constructed of a material selected from thermoplastics, metal, glass, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the inner container is selected from bags and bottles. In one embodiment, the inner container is selected from monolayer thermoplastic bags, multilayer thermoplastic bags, thermoplastic bottles, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the inner container is a seamless thermoplastic bottle formed by injection stretch blow molding. The thermoplastic bottle may then further comprise a molded finish, configured and adapted for sealing with a closure. The thermoplastic bottle may have a volume to weight ratio of greater than about 50 mL per gram.

The inner container may have a volume of greater than about 2 liters, alternatively from about 1 liter to about 20 liters, alternatively from about 3 liters to about 10 liters, alternatively from about 5 liters to about 10 liters.

In one embodiment, the inner container has a height to width ratio of from about 3:1 to about 1:3, alternatively from about 2:1 to about 1:2 and still alternatively from about 1:1.

In one embodiment, the inner container is non-pressurized. As used herein, “non-pressurized” means that that the containers are not subjected to gas or other pressurization means that would result in the increase of pressure inside the container vs. the atmospheric pressure found outside the container when initially filled. However, it is possible that after filling, pressurization of these “non-pressurized” containers may naturally occur during shipment due to changes in atmospheric pressure and/or reactions within the formulation. In one embodiment, means for removing the composition contained within the inner container is a gravity fed means.

Composition

Packages herein are useful for storing, dispensing and/or measuring flowable compositions. As used herein “flowable compositions” refers to liquid compositions, gel compositions, flowable powder compositions and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the flowable composition is a laundry composition. Examples of laundry compositions useful herein include liquid fabric softeners (such as Downy® commercially available from Procter & Gamble); liquid laundry detergent compositions (such as Tide® commercially available from Procter & Gamble); flowable powder detergent compositions, liquid fabric pre-treater compositions, gel fabric pre-treater compositions, gel laundry detergents, fabric refreshers (such as Febreze® commercially available from Procter & Gamble); and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the flowable composition is a laundry care composition.

In one embodiment the flowable composition is a beverage composition selected from wine, beer, soft drinks, juice and combinations thereof.

Dispensing Means

The packages include a dispensing means operatively attached to at least the inner container. Such dispensing means is useful for allowing a consumer to retrieve a flowable composition from inside the package. As used herein “dispensing means” refers to any means for allowing a flowable composition held within the inner container to evacuate the container. Dispensing means may therefore include tubes, operable flip-tops, taps, spouts, valves, pumps, spray nozzles, moveable diaphragms, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the dispensing tap closure is a press tap closure.

In one embodiment, the dispensing means is a press tap closure. In one embodiment, the dispensing means is a self-venting press tap closure. In one embodiment, the dispensing means is externally visible through the outer container. Press tap closures useful herein include those exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,744 B1 assigned to Unilever, U.S. Patent Application 2007/0290010 assigned to Vitop Moulding S.R.I., and PCT Publication WO 2007/108025 assigned to Vitop Moulding S.R.I.

An example of a press tap closure 11 useful herein is found in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Vessel

The package includes at least one vessel stored therein. As used herein, “vessel” refers to a device generally operable to measure and/or transfer the contents of the package from within the package to another location, such as for use at that other location. In one embodiment, the vessel is a metered measuring cup. In another embodiment, the vessel is a metered measuring cup wherein the cup includes visible lineations consistent with one or more appropriate fill lines for use of a composition. In one embodiment, the vessel is a laundry composition measuring cup, for example, a laundry detergent composition measuring cup.

An example of a metered measuring cup vessel 12 useful herein is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As illustrated, the cup 12 is releasably stored within the package 10 by a cavity within the thermoplastic collar 13.

In one embodiment, the vessel is constructed of glass or crystal. In one embodiment, the vessel is constructed as a beverage glass, shot glass, or wine glass.

Means for Releasably Storing a Vessel

The packages herein include means for releasably storing a vessel therein. Preferably the means for releasably storing a vessel therein includes the ability to initially store the vessel, remove the vessel (such as for measuring or collecting the package contents), and then later replacing the vessel in the storing means. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that a consumer may dispense the flowable composition into the vessel, use the composition, and then return the vessel back to the package in a secure manner for storage purposes, with little or no mess.

The means for releasably storing a vessel may be integrated into the package. In one embodiment, the means for releasably storing is at least one cavity in the side wall of the outer container. As used herein, “cavity” means an aperture, chamber, groove, notch, slit, slot, opening, ridge or hole. In one embodiment, the means for releasably storing a vessel is a cavity in the outer container. The means for releasably storing the vessel does not include a flat surface on which to rest the vessel such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,744 assigned to Unilever.

Examples of means for releasably storing a vessel include a constructed thermoplastic collar operatively affixed to at least the outer container. Constructed thermoplastic collars such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 2008/267538 A1 to Stephenson may be modified and extended to incorporate a means for releasably storing a vessel by expanding the collar to include a cavity of size and orientation large enough to accept the vessel. An example of such a modified and extended collar 13 useful herein is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment, the collar may incorporate a shelf. Preferably, the cavity is a chamber and is of orientation such that the vessel is held in an upright position when the overall package is oriented for dispensing a flowable composition. In one embodiment, the means for storing a vessel is a chamber within a thermoplastic collar operatively affixed to at least the outer container. In another embodiment, the thermoplastic collar is operatively affixed to at least the outer container, the means for storing a vessel is a chamber within the thermoplastic collar, and the thermoplastic collar increases the structural stability to the outer container.

The thermoplastic collar may further be operatively attached to the dispensing means, thereby enabling the dispensing means to be externally visible during normal dispensing operation.

In one embodiment, the package may include additional means for holding the vessel in proper location for collecting the dispensed flowable composition during dispensing. In a further embodiment, the thermoplastic collar may contain a cavity that will allow a consumer to orient the vessel such that the vessel holds the flowable composition while the outer container is in the dispensing position. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic collar operatively couples the inner container within the outer container and orients the dispensing means.

In one embodiment, the flowable composition is a liquid laundry composition, the dispensing means is a press tap, the vessel is a measuring and/or dosing cup, and the means for releasably storing the vessel is a cavity within a thermoplastic collar operatively affixed to at least the outer container.

In one embodiment, the dispensing tap closure and means for releasably storing a vessel are located on the same side wall of the outer container, such as, for example, on the front side wall of the outer container.

Optional Finishes

The packages of the present invention may further include one or more of the following optional finishes: one or more handles, decorative cut-outs in one or more side walls, indication means for observing the amount of flowable composition left within the container during use, area of weakness for inserting a straw, and combinations thereof.

Example I Bag-in-Box Package for Laundry Detergent

A package 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 having an outer storage container 15, a press tap 11, a measuring cup vessel 12, a thermoplastic collar 13 containing a cavity for releasably storing a vessel and indicia for a laundry detergent 14 is shown. The package further contains within a monolayer thermoplastic bag having a capacity of five liters and containing approximately five liters of a liquid laundry detergent composition commercially available as Tide Ultra 2X®.

Example II Bottle-in-Box Package for Laundry Detergent

A package 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 having an outer storage container 15, a press tap 11, a measuring cup vessel 12, a thermoplastic collar 13 containing a cavity for releasably storing a vessel and indicia for a laundry detergent 14 is shown. The package further contains within a thermoplastic bottle having a capacity of five liters and containing approximately five liters of a liquid laundry detergent composition commercially available as Tide Ultra 2X®. The thermoplastic bottle has a molded finish which is fixably attached to the press tap.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

1. A fabric care product comprising a package useful for storing, dispensing, and/or measuring flowable compositions, said package comprising; a. at least one inner container; b. an outer container at least partially encompassing the inner container; c. a dispensing means operatively attached to the inner container; and d. a vessel.
 2. A package according to claim 1 wherein the inner container is selected from bags and bottles.
 3. A package according to claim 2 wherein the inner container is selected from monolayer thermoplastic bags, multilayer thermoplastic bags, thermoplastic bottles and combinations thereof.
 4. A package according to claim 2 wherein the inner container is a seamless thermoplastic bottle.
 5. A package according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic bottle comprises a molded finish, configured and adapted for sealing with a closure.
 6. A package according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing means is a press tap closure.
 7. A package according to claim 6 wherein the dispensing means is externally visible through the outer container.
 8. A package according to claim 1 wherein the outer container is constructed of corrugated board.
 9. A package according to claim 1 wherein the vessel is a metered measuring cup.
 10. A package according to claim 9 wherein the outer container is a box.
 11. A package according to claim 8 wherein the outer container is a box and the package further comprises an integrated handle.
 12. A package according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing means is operatively attached to the inner container by a thermoplastic collar operatively affixed to at least the outer container.
 13. A package according to claim 12 wherein the thermoplastic collar is operatively attached to the dispensing means, enabling external visibility of the dispensing means.
 14. A package according to claim 12 wherein the thermoplastic collar further orients the measuring cup such that the cup holds the flowable composition while the outer container is in the dispensing position.
 15. A package according to claim 12 wherein the thermoplastic collar further couples the inner container within the outer container and orients the dispensing means.
 16. A package according to claim 1 wherein the vessel is releasably stored in a cavity in the outer container.
 17. A fabric care package, useful for storing flowable fabric care compositions, wherein said package comprises: a) at least one inner container comprising at least one thermoplastic material and having a volume of from about 3 liters to about 10 liters and a volume to weight ratio of greater than 50 mL per gram; b) an outer corrugated board box container at least partially encompassing the bottle, wherein the outer box container is generally of a cuboidal shape comprising six sides: i) a front side; ii) a back side; iii) a top side; iv) a bottom side; v) a left side; and vi) a right side; c) a dispensing tap closure operatively attached to the inner container; d) a vessel; and e) means for releasably storing a vessel.
 18. A package according to claim 17 wherein the dispensing tap closure and means for releasably storing a vessel are located on the same side of the outer box container.
 19. A package according to claim 18 wherein the dispensing tap closure is a press tap closure.
 20. A package according to claim 19 wherein the vessel is a detergent measuring cup. 